Target, Staples opening stores in Victory Square shopping center

A Target and Staples are coming to the Victory Square shopping center near Home Depot, according to plans submitted to the Metropolitan Planning Commission.

The plans submitted by the property's owner, New Plan Excel Realty Trust Inc., include drawings of three signs advertising the two chains as tenants.

The drawings were displayed during Tuesday's MPC meeting during a master plan amendment that added 56,274 square feet to the center and a height variance request for an additional 10 feet to one of the center's signs.

"The developer has been working with Target in developing the site plan," said Amanda Bunce, Metropolitan Planning Commission project planner. Bunce said she could not confirm the retailers were coming to the center, however.

Bunce said Ronald Bryson, director of construction for the southeast region at New Plan, was developing the project.

Bryson did not return three phone calls seeking comment.

The submitted plans call for the demolition of the former Hancock Fabrics building and the portion of the center currently occupied by the Service Loan Co. and the Colortyme rental store.

The amended master plan shows a 126,842-square-foot building replacing the demolished structures. Bunce said New Plan expects Target to occupy the building.

The 31,864-square-foot former Food Lion location will be demolished to make way for a 35,644-square-foot building, according to the plans. Bunce said the structure will be divided into two retail spaces, with one of the new tenants expected to house the Staples.

In addition, plans call for a 7,800-square-foot outparcel to be constructed.

Service Loan Company received an eviction notice on Monday notifying the company it had to vacate by May 31, said supervisor Kathy Hogan.

"Sixteen days is really short notice," Hogan said. "It's been really helter-skelter letting our customers know we are moving."

Hogan said she was told by the New Deal employee she pays rent to that the eviction was a result of Target moving in. New Deal Excel Realty said they would not assist with any moving expenses or offer any vacant spots at the center, Hogan said.

"They should have at least offered to assist," Hogan said. "I'm glad Target's coming, this town needs something, but they don't need to boot us out."

Colortyme received 30 days notice on Monday that it had to leave the center, said manager William Reaves.

"They just threw us out in the woods," Reaves said. "They wanted the place so they could tear it down."

"It's nerve-wracking and I don't think we are being treated fair," Reaves said.

New Plan Excel Realty spokeswoman Stacy Slater refused to comment on whether any other tenants would be evicted from the center. Slater also refused to confirm the arrival of Target and Staples.

There is currently one Target and two Staples stores in Savannah. Representatives from both stores refused to confirm the new locations.